Let’s Talk About the Land – And What Lives Beneath It
Before strimming the land, full with wild flowers
First of all, let me introduce myself..
I’m Kim, living here in the beautiful East Algarve with my Portuguese partner Bruno and our little daughter Ivy. Together, we run a garden company and aim to live as self-sufficiently as possible. Since moving to Portugal, I’ve taken a deep dive into nature-based practices — from permaculture to Syntropic Agroforestry — and I’ve learned how essential it is to care for our soil.
I’ll be sharing a monthly blog with you, offering tips and insights on how to work with nature, not against it. I hope you’ll find some inspiration for your own garden — or feel free to reach out if you’d rather we help you with it! 😉
—————————————————————————————————————————
Spring has fully arrived, and with it, a burst of warmth. After all the wonderful rain this winter, nature exploded — and so did the “weeds”! Personally, I loved it. I’ve rarely seen them grow so lush and tall.
Now, however, we’ve reached that seasonal moment when everything starts drying out fast. The deadline for cleaning your land, set by the government to reduce fire risk, has been extended this year to May 31 . So by the time you read this, your land should look “tidy” again — but what does “tidy” really mean? And how can we do it in a way that it still benefits your land without disturbing soil life.
Often, I see people plowing their land to meet regulations or give it a clean look. But here’s the thing: plowing destroys soil life.
Imagine the soil as a living world, filled with fungi, bacteria, earthworms, and tiny creatures that all play a role in keeping your land healthy. When you turn the soil, those life forms are exposed to the sun and air — and they die. Instead, I always recommend strimming (mowing) your land. This keeps the soil covered, allows roots to stay in place, and protects the delicate underground life that makes plants thrive.
Those weeds everyone rushes to cut down? They’re not the enemy. In fact, many are edible or can be used as a medicine/herbs, others are leguminous plants that add valuable nitrogen to the soil. They also help keep the soil shaded and moist — absolutely necessary in our dry Mediterranean climate.
By leaving roots in the ground and minimizing disturbance, you:
Feed the soil with carbon and nutrients
Protect fungal networks (like mycorrhizae) that help plants absorb minerals
Reduce the need for fertilizers and irrigation
Prevent erosion and build long-term soil fertility
And let’s not forget the bees, butterflies, and all the little pollinators we rely on for food and flowers. When we mow everything down or spray chemicals, we’re taking away their habitat and food.
A more balanced approach — planting for pollinators, leaving wildflowers when possible, and avoiding chemical products — creates a healthier space for everyone. Many “problems” in the garden can be solved with natural alternatives, from companion planting to simple home remedies.
In short: our land is alive. What we do to it matters — not just for our gardens, but for the bigger ecosystem. If we work with nature, nature will give back generously.
I hope this gives you something to think about as you tidy your land this season. And remember: you don’t need to do it all at once, and you don’t need to do it perfectly. Just start small, stay curious, and let nature guide you.
See you next month for more tips on growing with the flow!
Warmly,
Kim
